Electrical switch.



B. D. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1913.

1,114,988. v Patented 001;.2731914.

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B. D. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR.5,1913

1,114,988, Patented 001211914.

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. IBBYSON D. HORTON, OF'DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Application filed April 5, 1%?13. Serial No. 759,005.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BRYSON D. HORTON, a citizen of the United States,,residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and St of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Switches, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention more specifically relatesto certain improvements in electrical switches of the armor-clad? or protected type, where the switch mechanism is inclosed within a casing provided with a hinged cover, which is preferably made of metal, suitable means being provided exterior of the casing for operating the switch mecha- My invention comprehends certain details of improvements in a switch of this type, among which are to provide a new and improved form of crank or operating handle, improved means for mounting the same in the casing and attaching it to the switch mechanism improved means for retaining the cover of the receptacle in its closed position, and having provision for sealing the same in this position, to prevent tampering with byunauthorized persons without detection, means whereby the cover of the easing may be positively locked in closed position and finally means for locking the switch in ofl' position, with the cover closed and locked when desired.

Referring to the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch embodying certain of the improvementsconstituting my invention, the cover of the receptacle being removed. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on lines A-A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail illustrating the sealing and locking means. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged details in cross section showing the improved fastening means for retaining the cover in its closed position, and by which means the cover may be'sealed in its closed position. Fig. 6 is a top plan view showing the switch embodying my invention with the oover'of the receptacle in a closed position. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view on lines BB of Fig. 6,'showing the position of the switch arm when the switch is in its on position and also showing in dotted lines the position it assumes when the switch has been thrown into its ofi position, the same being locked in thisjposition by the engage;

Patented Oct. 27, 1914..

In detail, 1 indicates the body of the metal casing or housing, having a hinged cover 2. 3 indicates a base, of insulating material upon which are mounted the switch contacts 4 and 5, and fuses 6.

7 indicates a pair of knife-switch blades connected by a cross-head 8, towhich is fastened a screw-eye 9, provided for the reception of the end of the crank or. operating handle 10. This crank or operating handle is formed in one piece and is preferably made of cold-roll steel bent into the form shown,'so as to procure proper leverage and render the same capable of opening and closing the switch blades and contacts readily." In forming the operating handle or crank in one piece I produce a moving switch part, which is practically indestructible by ordinary usage, and thus eliminate the liability of loosening of parts, present in switch handles of bullt-up construction. At the same time, I have appreciably decreased the cost of'manufacture of this particular part of switch.

The crank or operating handle 10 is mounted in the side of the body of the casing, through an aperture 11, provided therein. This aperture is large enough to permit the insertion .of the handle injits formed condition'and in order to provide for its proper positioning, I use a split bushing,

consisting of like parts '12 and-'13, which, when combined, provide a bearing for the operating handle and also fill the space of the aperture unoccupied by the operating handle itself. The bushing projectswithin' the casing and provides an increased bearing for the handle,-as well as a substantial alining member for the same. I

The body of the casing is provided with a laterally extended lug 14, and the cover of.

the casing is provided with a similar lug 14, co-inciding therewith, the two'meeting when the receptacle is closed. These lugs are drilled at 15 for the accommodation of the. shackle of a pad-lock for locking the receptacle closed.

Provided on the body of the casing and preferably riveted thereto is a sheet metal platejmember 16, constituting part of a fastening device, for holding the cover closed and at the same time rendering the switch mechanism readily accessible. This member is provided with a circular cut-out portion 17, for the "reception of a thumb screw carried by the cover. At the lower end of the sheet metal member is provided a laterally extending perforated ear 18, the object of' which will be presently understood.

19 indicates the thumb screw carried by the cover of the receptacle and has an enlargement 20, adapted to lit and occupy snugly the circular cut-out portion 17 of the sheet metal plate 16 when. the cover is in its closed position, and the former is screwed home, thus preventing the opening of the cover. The head or finger piece of the thumb screw is perforated at 21 and through this perforation as well as perforation of the ear 18, is inserted a flexible wire 22 carrying a suitable seal 23 serving to seal the cover in itsclosed position to protect it from being-tampered with without detection..

Referring now in detail to Fig; 7 24 indicates' a depending fin or abutment cast integral with the cover, which is designed to engage a part of the crank or operating handle 10 within the casing, so that when the handle has been thrown over to the extreme length of its oscillation and the cover is closed, the handle is locked in this position so that it would be impossible to move the handle to close the switch without first unlockin and o eni'n the cover to permit the handle to pass the abutment. By this means I am able to positively lock the switch mechanism in its ofl position to prevent unauthorized manipulation.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise structure shown and described as the same may be varied and departed from and still be within the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new herein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch of the character described, including a casing provided with a cover,

' a switch mechanism therein, said switch mechanism including stationary and movable contacts and'a crank for operating the switch, said cover being provided with a cavity for permitting a partial movement of the crank to open the switch without opening the cover, means carried by the cover adapted to be brought into engagement with the crank after the latter has been moved to its full opened position when the cover is open said means engaging the crank when in this position upon the 010s ing of the cover.

2. A switch of the character described, including a casing having-a cover, a switch mechanism therein, said switch mechanism including stationary and movable contacts and a crank for operating the movable contacts, said cover being provided witha cavity for permitting a partial movement of the crank to open the switch without opening the cover, an abutment carried by the cover and projecting into the cavity, and adapted to be brought into engagement withthe crank after the latter has been moved to its full open position when the cover is open said abutment engaging the crank when in th'isposition upon the closing of the cover.

3. A switch of the character described, including a casing having a cover, a switch mechanism therein, said switch mechanism including stationary and movable contacts and a crank for operating the movable contacts, said cover being provided with a cav ity for permitting a partial movement of the crank to open the switch without opening the cover, means carried by the cover adapted to be brought into engagement with the crank after the latter has been moved to its full opened position when the cover is open said means coiiperating with the crank when in this position and when the cover is closed, and means for locking the cover closed.

4. A switch of the character described, including a casing provided with a hinged cover, a switch mechanism therein, said switch mechanism including stationary and movable contacts, a crank operating member operably associated with the movable' contacts, said cover being provided with a cavity to permit of the opening of the switch without opening the cover, means carried by thecover and projecting into the'cav- 1ty for engaging the switch mechanism inbody ofthe casing and operably connected with the movable contacts and adapted to movethem to make or break an electrical circuit, a lug formed integral with the cover of the casing adapted to engage the switch handle positively to hold the'switch open after the same has been thrownto its eX-' treme limit of its circuit breaking move ment when the cover is open, said lug engaging the handle when the coveris there after closed for retaining the switch mechanism in its full open position and means for positively locking the cover closed to prevent the establishment of an electrical circuit through the contacts.

' 6. A switch of the -character described including a casingprovided with a hinged cover, said cover being provided with a cavity, a switch mechanism within said casing contacts to make and break the electrical circuit, means comprising an abutment.

projecting into the cavity adapted to cooperate with the handle, said switch -handle adapted to impart to said movable contacts, a partial circuit. breaking movement when the cover is closed and a full circuit breaking movement when the. cover is open, said abutment adapted to engage the handle after the-cover is open, the said handle thrown to its extreme circuit breaking position and the cover thereafter closed,

to prevent the movement of said handle.

7 In a switch of the armor clad type, an apertured casing,anoperating handle, said operating handle being formed in one piece and provided with a substantially U-shaped portion adapted when in its formed condition, to be inserted through the aperture of the casing, said -U-shaped portion having its parallel opposite U-arms substantially parallel with the sides of the casing when the operating arm is in position and a two part bushing adapted when assembled to surround the handle, close the aperture and serve as a bearing and alining member for said handle. In witness whereof I have hereunto se my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses this second day of April, 1913.

BRYS ON D. HORTON. Witnesses: IGNATIUS W. KAHN, HA RY S. FREEMAN. 

